V.C. Man Charged After Fleeing DUI Arrest

A Valley County man was arrested the evening of March 8 after leading the Valley County Sheriff on a pursuit following an attempted stop for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Valley County Sheriff Tom Boyer told the Courier that Matthew Lundstrom had been reported by a concerned citizen for speeding and swerving across the road near Hinsdale. The Sheriff responded to the call and observed the vehicle speeding and swerving over the center line. Assuming he was dealing with a driving under the influence situation, Sheriff Boyer initiated a traffic stop but Lundstrom refused to pull over.

Finally, after several miles, Lundstrom pulled over to the side of the road and the Sheriff ordered him to exit the vehicle but instead, he sped off. This time a second VCSO deputy was en-route to assist as Boyer chased Lundstrom down US Highway 2 until he turned down a dirt road. The chase continued for several more miles until the driver failed to negotiate a sharp corner and drove off the road, through a rancher’s fence, ending up stuck in the mud.

The second deputy gave the man commands at gunpoint as Sheriff Boyer tackled him and made the arrest. Lundstrom, 25, has been charged with speeding, crossing the center line, driving without insurance, his second offense of driving under the influence, driving with an open container, fleeing and eluding a police officer and criminal mischief. All of the charges are misdemeanors.